“I didn’t know what to say.”
“That’s funny,” he deadpans. “I hear you had plenty to say on the quad.”
The words burn.
“I know.”
He stops pacing. Faces me.
“Tell me you didn’t do this to her.”
I swallow. “I can’t.”
“A bet.”
I nod once.
He laughs, sharp and humorless. “Jesus Christ, Kie.”
“I know.”
“Youknewbetter.”
“I did.”
“Then why?”
Because my pride got wounded. Because I wanted to win. Because I liked being the guy people bet on. Because I didn’t think it would matter.
Ugly. All of it.
“Because she said no and everyone watched,” I say. “And my ego couldn’t take it.”
He stares at me like I’ve spoken another language.
“Do you hear yourself?”
“Unfortunately.”
“This is entitlement.”
The word lands clean. Surgical.
Liam’s jaw tightens. “McCarthy called me.”
“I told him everything.”
“After you lied the first time.”
I recoil.
“Do you know how this looks?” Liam snaps. “It looks like you got caught. Not like you came clean.”
“I know. But I did go in. I did tell him.”
“And you accepted suspension.”
“Yes.”
